James P. Gitkin – Founding Partner
Jim Gitkin co-founded Salpeter Gitkin, LLP in 2008 and is a partner and principal of the firm. Since its inception, he has managed the firm’s Personal Injury Department, representing injured people in all areas of personal injury, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, negligent security claims, products liability, medical malpractice, mass torts and wrongful death. He also serves as litigation counsel and advisor to various individuals and corporations, and represents clients in insurance disputes, employment actions, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, whistleblower claims and class actions.
A trial lawyer at heart, Jim started his career trying cases for indigent individuals at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. He then transitioned into civil practice working for two prominent South Florida boutique firms before launching Salpeter Gitkin, LLP. As a civil trial lawyer, he has handled and tried cases throughout Florida, including arguing appeals in several of Florida’s appellate courts. With a truly national and international practice, Jim has successfully co-counseled matters in New York, New Jersey, and California; and, his clients hail from throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, the United Kingdom and South America.
Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Jim received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was a member of the International Moot Court Board, the International Moot Court Team, and was a staff writer for the Res Ipsa Loquitur. As a lawyer, he has been a member of the American Association for Justice, the Broward Justice Association, the Broward County Bar Association and the Florida Justice Association, where he previously served on the 2006-2007 Young Lawyers Board of Directors. He is licensed to practice before all state and federal courts in Florida.
Jim is a long time resident of Weston, Florida, where he lives with his wife, twin sons and daughter. He is an active member at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City, FL, and enjoys exercising, playing in a weekly basketball game, practicing mindfulness meditation, and participating in his kids’ many activities.